The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale of M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated equipment to Sweden, according to an announcement made Tuesday by Washington.
These artillery systems, mounted on highly mobile vehicles, allow guided rockets to be launched with great precision and are widely used by the US military as well as by several allies.
The main contractor for this sale would be the American defense group Lockheed Martin, manufacturer of the HIMARS system.
The State Department's decision is a preliminary step in the process of selling arms abroad. The agreement will still need to be reviewed by the U.S. Congress before it is finalized.
This possible transaction is part of a broader context of strengthening the military capabilities of several European countries, particularly following Sweden's accession to NATO and the evolving security situation in Europe.
The HIMARS system has gained notoriety in recent years due to its effectiveness on modern battlefields, particularly during the conflict in Ukraine, where it was used to strike strategic targets at long range.
